Find Mason County Marriage License Information

Mason County marriage licenses are issued by the Mason County Clerk in Ludington, the county seat located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. If you or your partner lives in Mason County, the county clerk at 304 E. Ludington Avenue is where you go to apply. This page covers all the essentials: clerk contact details, required documents, fees, the three-day waiting period, ceremony rules, and how to request certified copies of Mason County marriage records after your license is filed.

Mason County Clerk Office

The Mason County Clerk's office is at 304 E. Ludington Avenue in Ludington. This is the only office in the county authorized to issue marriage licenses. Walk-in applications are accepted on regular business days, Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed. Bring all your documents so the application can be processed on the spot.

After your ceremony, your officiant returns the signed license to this same office. The clerk files it as the permanent Mason County marriage record. That record can be accessed later for certified copies. Bring a valid photo ID and the applicable fee when you request a copy.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal handles certified marriage record requests for marriages across all 83 Michigan counties dating back to 1867.

MDHHS is the state-level source for certified Mason County marriage certificates, accessible by mail or online order.

How to Apply for a Mason County Marriage License

Under MCL 551.101, at least one applicant must be a Mason County resident to apply here. If neither of you lives in Mason County but your ceremony will be held here, you may still apply at this office. Only one person needs to appear in person. That person can bring documents for both parties. The absent party does not need to be present.

The application is a sworn affidavit under MCL 551.102. Both applicants must provide their Social Security numbers. The form is signed under oath. Giving false information is perjury under Michigan law. Fill in all fields accurately. The clerk is there to help if you have questions.

Both applicants must be at least 18. If either applicant is 16 or 17, written parental consent is required. No one under 16 may legally marry in Michigan.

Required Documents for Mason County

Gather your documents before making the trip to Ludington. Missing anything means a wasted visit. The clerk needs to confirm identity, age, and county residency. Prior marriages require documentation that they have ended legally.

Bring the following:

• Valid driver's license or state ID showing a Mason County address
• Government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital copy) or valid passport
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Full legal names and birth states of both parents for each applicant
• Divorce decree or death certificate if either applicant was previously married

If one person is bringing documents for both applicants, bring the complete set for each. Non-residents pay $30 instead of $20. Your ID address must show Mason County to qualify for the resident rate.

Fees and the Waiting Period in Mason County

The fee is $20 for Michigan residents. Non-residents pay $30. These amounts are set by state law. Call the clerk's office before your visit to confirm how they accept payment.

Once your Mason County marriage license is issued, Michigan law requires a three-day waiting period before any ceremony may be performed. This wait is mandatory and cannot be waived. The license is valid for 33 days from the issue date. Plan your ceremony date so it falls within that window. If your ceremony takes place after the license expires, you'll need to apply again and pay another fee. Two witnesses who are at least 18 must attend the ceremony and sign the license before leaving.

Ceremony and Officiant Requirements

MCL 551.7 lists who may legally perform a marriage in Michigan. Judges, magistrates, mayors, ordained ministers, and county clerks are all authorized. You can choose any officiant from this list regardless of whether your ceremony is civil or religious. Make sure your officiant is legally authorized under Michigan law before the wedding date.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Mason County Clerk within 10 days as required by MCL 551.104. This is the officiant's legal duty. A late return can complicate your marriage record and make it harder to get certified copies later. Talk to your officiant about this obligation before the wedding and follow up to confirm it was done.

Certified Copies of Mason County Marriage Records

Once the signed license is returned and filed, it becomes the permanent Mason County marriage record. You can get a certified copy from the Mason County Clerk at 304 E. Ludington Avenue. Bring a valid photo ID and pay the applicable fee at the time of your request.

For state-level requests, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains vital records going back to 1867 for all 83 Michigan counties. The first certified copy costs $34. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $16. Rush processing is available for $12 extra. Standard processing takes four to five weeks. Order online or by mail through MDHHS Vital Records. MDHHS is at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48933, phone (517) 335-8666.

Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized historical Michigan vital records, making it a useful tool for genealogy research involving Mason County marriage records.

Michiganology's archive includes historical Michigan vital records and can help researchers trace older Mason County marriages.

Name Change After Your Mason County Marriage

With a certified copy of your Mason County marriage record, start the name change process at the Social Security Administration. Visit ssa.gov for office locations and mail-in procedures. There is no fee. Bring your certified marriage certificate, a current photo ID, and proof of citizenship or immigration status.

Once your SSA card is updated, visit a Michigan Secretary of State office to change your driver's license or state ID. Bring the updated SSA card and the certified marriage certificate. Most SOS offices accept walk-ins. After your ID is updated, work through other accounts. Keep extra certified copies of your marriage record because many agencies will ask for a certified version rather than a photocopy.

Nearby Counties

Mason County sits along Lake Michigan in northwest Michigan. Neighboring counties include Manistee, Lake, and Oceana. Muskegon County is also nearby to the south. Manistee, Lake, and Oceana do not currently have dedicated pages on this site.